Going Green Adds Up Big

A wide variety of simple practices can dramatically reduce business costs and earthly impacts, as well. The top contenders include:

—Recycling for real. Even a small office with 15 people can generate 2.5 tons of waste paper each year. Paper reduction (double-side printing, relying on electronic files instead of printing them out) is always a good policy. By coupling those paper cutbacks with recycling programs,businesses can reduce disposal costs and save trees by heaps and bounds. According to Greenbiz, Bank of America’s recycling program has saved as much as $483,000 in trash hauling fees. Hewlett Packard has recycled as much as 43 million pounds of paper— equivalent to more than 367,000 trees.

—Playing it cool. Even a one-degree increase on that thermostat bumps up heating costs by about 8 percent. For optimal savings and comfort, businesses are advised to dial in at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

—Getting shut-eye. Every single PC that runs day and night—and there are untold millions of them—cause 1,000 extra pounds of greenhouse gases each year. Smart businesses reduce the sorry waste by making sure employees shut down their computers when they leave work (no, it won’t hurt the computers). Computers should also be set to go into sleep mode when not in use.

—Running with the pack. According to a survey conducted for Microsoft Corp., nearly 70 percent of small firms believe eco-practices are important for their success, and 60 percent say they save money by using sustainable technologies. Small or large, at home or abroad: when businesses go green, they’re in good company.

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